MONTHLY MEDICAL MEETUP: MEET ADVANCE TELEMEDICINE’S MICHELE VALLEE

Introducing THE Monthly Medical Meetup with Advance Telemedicine

We’re excited to announce a brand-new monthly Instagram Live series in collaboration with Advance Telemedicine: Monthly Medical Meetup 🎉

Each month, we’ll be going live to break down real medical cannabis questions—no fluff, no judgment, and no confusing medical jargon. Think of it as your safe space to learn more about cannabis as medicine, hear expert insights, and get answers to the questions you’ve been Googling (or asking your group chat 👀).

This series is all about education, accessibility, and empowering you to make informed decisions about your wellness—whether you’re new to medical cannabis or looking to fine-tune your routine.

Meet Michele Vallee of Advance Telemedicine

To kick things off, we’re sitting down with Michele Vallee of Advance Telemedicine for a Q+A that dives into the heart of medical cannabis care.

Michele brings a patient-first approach to telemedicine, making the process of becoming a medical cannabis patient feel approachable, supportive, and stress-free. In our conversation, we’ll explore what Advance Telemedicine does, how telemedicine works in the cannabis space, and what patients should know before starting—or continuing—their medical journey.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and what inspired you to start Advance Telemedicine?
After working in the hospital and urgent care for years, I wanted to offer people a better option to healthcare. Long waits, high prices and being told what to do does not seem like the ideal situation to get well. In 2018, I founded Advance Telemedicine, a primary care practice focused on offering alternative options to traditional medicine in a convenient setting with affordable pricing.

As soon as I started, patients were requesting cannabis as a medical option. Inspired by this, I completed a one-year certificate program through a college in California and became a certified cannabis practitioner. I only provide care in areas that I am fully trained and comfortable with. I can now counsel my patients more thoroughly than traditional medical school training.

What does a typical appointment look like from start to finish?

It's an easy process! A patient schedules an appointment, either online through our website or by phone.

A link will be sent at the time of the appointment. The visits are essentially "face time" calls. If we have any technology issues, we can do the visit over the phone. Appointments typically take between 5 and 15 minutes, depending on questions. If you qualify for a med card, the provider will complete the paperwork and you will get your card. If you do not qualify, you will not pay for the appointment. (We have over a 99% approval rating!)

What types of patients do you typically work with?
There are now over 44 qualifying medical conditions for a med card. We work with all of these conditions plus more! Anxiety, sleep issues, depression, crohn's disease, chronic pain are some of the more frequent conditions that we see. 

What makes Advance Telemedicine different from other telehealth providers?
We are a small practice in CT that specializes in medical marijuana as a treatment option. We are experts in the program and the state laws. Judy, our office manager, will help you through every step of the way, including the state paperwork, free of charge.  Plus, we have high ratings and affordable prices! We are passionate about making this option available to everyone. 

What are the biggest misconceptions people have about telemedicine?
That it is hard to do.

Our system is SO easy, most patients do not have any trouble with it. However, if it doesn't work, we are VERY flexible and will connect with the patient in a way that works best for them! We believe this process should not be stressful. In fact, we are trying to help reduce stress in the patient's lives. 

Who do you think telemedicine is especially helpful for?

It is SO convenient. You can do it from anywhere! We have patients log in from their cars, work, vacation, etc. You do not need to waste all of that time driving to an office and then sitting and waiting.

How would you describe your approach to patient care?

Individualized. We dont rush appointments. We let the patient lead the visit with telling us about their medical history and why they are thinking about using medical marijuana. Then we will have a discussion to make sure it is the right fit for them. We also look at the whole picture: do they have a support system? What is their lifestyle like? 

What’s the most rewarding part of what you do?

Seeing the results! We have patients with very different conditions, in all age ranges, who find benefit from cannabis products. We frequently hear reports of improved sleep, less pain, less need to take other prescription medications. A common saying from the patients is, "I should have done this a long time ago!"

What are some of the most common reasons patients come to Advance Telemedicine?
Medical Marijuana is our specialty. We are also a primary care practice. We treat acute issues through telemedicine. Such as colds, rashes, pink eye, tick bites, etc. We can accept medical insurance. We can diagnose and prescribe medications when appropriate.

What are your long-term goals for Advance Telemedicine?
We want to continue to be the state experts for medical marijuana in CT. We have partnered with another provider to provide certifications in PA in April 2026. Our patients are requesting additional specialty services in CT, specifically weight loss. So we are currently in the process of partnering with pharmacies to be able to provide low cost weight loss options. 

Where can people find you digitally? 
Online: https://www.advancetelemedicine.com/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdvanceTelemedicinePlantTherapy

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/advance_telemedicine/